Ladder



Jan. 23, 1934. E. M. HOUSE ,9 ,79

LADDER Filed May 4, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet l E. M. HOUSE Jan. 23, 1934.

LADDER Filed May 4. 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I MMM EliMHoude Patented Jan. 23, 1934 tibii ii ifi dd.

LADDER 2 Claims.

This invention relates to certain improvements in ladders of the type comprising sections hinged together which may be partially folded to be used I as a step-ladder and when in extended end to end 5 position as a straight ladder, whereby a rigid construction is provided and the sections may be securely held in all positions, all of which will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed. Referring to the drawings, which are made a part hereof and on which similar reference characters indicate similar parts,

Figure 1 is a side view in elevation of the ladder in folded position,

Figure 2, a front elevation of the ladder,

Figure 3, a side view in elevation of the ladder when used as a step-ladder,

Figure 4, a side view in elevation of the ladder when used as a straight ladder, 1 Figure 5, a side elevation showing the details of the hinge connection, and

Figure 6, an end elevation of Figure 5.

In the drawings reference character indicates the side rails of the bottom section of the ladder connected by a plurality of steps 11. The

isteps 11 are set in the side rails with the back edges flush with the side rails to present a smooth underside. The topmost step 12 projects rearwardly and serves as the top of the ladder when used as a step-ladder. The steps are braced or supported by the rods 13 which extend beneath each step and are connected at their ends in any suitable manner to the side rails.

The step 12 is further supported by a brace 14 connected at one end to the rear of the step by a nut and bolt 15 and to the side rail by a nut and bolt 16.

The top section is formed with the side rails 17 connected by a plurality of steps 18 likewise set 40 in the side rails and having their rear'edges set flush with the side rails. The steps 18 are positioned at an angle with respect to the side rails so that when in use as a straight ladder the surfaces of the tops of the steps will be parallel to those of the bottom section and the braces 19 positioned so as to be beneath each step, as shown in Figure 4. By having the underside of the rear edges of the steps flush with the side rails, it is possible to fold the sections closely together as 50 shown in Figure l. The side rails of the bottom section are gradually spread apart beginning a distance below the hinges as at about the third step below said point, taking longer length steps toward the bottom. The same applies to the top section, starting from a point at about the second step from the top and increasing the length of each successive step to the top. This construction braces the ladder against side sway and insures a firmer footing for it. The side rails of each section are wider on each side of and adjacent to the hinge connection and gradually taper toward each end, depending on the length of the ladder and strength of the material used. In the drawings (Figure 4C) I have indicated the side rails as 2 at the hinged end tapering to 2" at the foot and top respectively.

The sections are connected by a hinge construction comprising a plate 20 secured by means of the bolts and nuts 21 to the outside of the bottom of the side rails 17. A similar plate 22 is provided on the inner side of the rail, being also secured by the bolts and nuts 21. The plates 20 and 22 are provided with rearwardly extending flanges 23 having aligned openings 24 therein to receive a hinge pin or bolt 25. The plates and the end of the rail 17 are also provided with an opening 26. The bottom edges of the plates are set flush with the end of the rail 17.

The outside of the top of the rails 10 are provided with a plate 27 secured by means of the bolt and nut 28 and in addition by means of the rod 13 and nut and bolt 16. The plate is provided with overlapping flanges at the top and rear which are provided with the openings 29 and 39 corresponding to the openings 26 and 24 respectively in the plates 20 and 22.

The hinge bolt is secured through the openings 2d and 30 to permit folding of the sections. In order for the flanges 23 of the plates 20 and 22 to clear the end of the rail 10, the edge 31 is beveled at an angle, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 5.

In order to hold the sections in extended position, a bolt 32 and a wing nut 33 are provided which may be easily removed or replaced in the openings 26 and 29, as desired. In order to fold the sections close together, the step 12 is provided with a cut-out portion 34 which receives the plate 22 and the nuts resting against it. This structure is disclosed in Figure 6.

When used as a step-ladder a stay rod 35 attached to the rail 10 is provided to engage an eyelet 36 on the rail 17. When not in use the rod 35 is held along the rail 10 by means of a spring clip 37.

The operation of the device is simple. When in folded position the bolt and wing nut are placed through the plates 20 and 27 for safe keeping. By spreading the lower ends of the sections apart and connecting them with the stay rod 35 a step-ladder results, the rails 17 serving as supports for the rails 10. When a straight ladder is desired, the bolt 32 is removed, the sections unfolded and placed end to end and the bolt 32 is then replaced. wedging efiect due to the rails 17 being offset with respect to the rail 10 by a distance equal to the width of the plate 20, thus making the hinged connection very firm after the wing nut 33 is tightened on the bolt 32. The hinged bolt 25 is so located that it tends to further re-enforce the structure causing the pressure due to weight on the steps to be exerted on the ends of the rails 10. Due to the arrangement of the steps and construction of the side rails a ladder is produced that is comparatively light but stiff and strong and which is strongly braced against side sway and one which may be quickly, and easily converted from one type of ladder to another; and effectively secured in both positions.

It is clearly evident from the above description that an improved construction results, one that is simple to operate and due to the arrangement of the various parts a strong and well re-enforced ladder is produced.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in my device without departing from the spirit of the invention and therefore I do not limit myself to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification, but only as indicated by the appended claims.

Having thus fully described my said invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A ladder comprising upper and lower sections formed of side rails and cross members spaced apart to serve as steps, plates fixed to the sides of the lower ends of said upper section provided In this position, there is 2.

with rearwardly extending flanges, plates fixed to the upper ends of said lower section overlapping .said first named plates being provided with rearwardly extending flanges, means extending through said flanges to hold said sections hinged together whereupon moving said sections to extended position the lower ends of the side rails of the upper section bear directly on the upper ends of the side rails of the lower sect-ion and the plates adjacent the overlapping plates serve to offset said upper side rails inwardly with respect to the lower side rails to wedge said sections firmly together, and means extending through said plates and the side rails to lock said sections in extended position as a straight ladder, substantially as set forth.

2. A ladder comprising upper and lower sections formed of side rails and cross members spaced apart to serve as steps, plates fixed to the side rails of said sections at their inner ends being provided with rearwardly extending flanges, said plates on the lower section overlapping the plates on the upper section, means extending through said flanges to hold said sections hinged together, a relatively wide step secured to the upper end of said lower section adjacent the hinged connection serving as a step when said ladder is used as a straight ladder, said step being provided with cut-out portions on each end to permit said upper section to be folded in spread position when said ladder is used as a step ladder with the step serving as a top for the step ladder, means extending through said plates and side rails to hold said sections in extended position, and means on said side rails for maintaining said sections in spread position, substantially as set forth.

ELI M. HOUSE. EL. 5.] 

